The imperial city has stood for thousands of years, and over time it has acquired a kind of spirit. This ancient city always has an inexplicable reaction to the coming changes. The changes will leak out from the families of those who know about them, blend into the sunset, and spread throughout the imperial city on the breeze, yet no one can see the true face of them.

The oppressive atmosphere raged in the capital for three days. In the early hours of the third day, as dawn broke, palace guards stormed into the Fifth Prince's residence and took him to the Dali Temple.

Just like the first stroke of permanent makeup, once that first stroke was made, the future of permanent makeup was clearly laid out in the open. Suddenly, the winds of change swept through the capital.

The residences of the Thirteenth Prince, the Seventeenth Prince, and Hongli and Hongzhou became highly sought-after, with people of all kinds coming and going. Treasures and rare items from all over were sent into these residences, only to be ruthlessly returned by their perfectly tacit owners.

At noon, Su Peisheng and his men received the Fourth Master's orders and marched in a grand procession, with those in front carrying the imperial edict and those behind beating gongs and drums, heading straight for their destination.

...

"By imperial decree: The Thirteenth Prince has rendered meritorious service in protecting the Emperor... He is hereby granted the title of **** and awarded ten thousand taels of gold!" Su Peisheng and the Thirteenth Prince received the imperial decree, their wrinkles deepening with laughter. "This servant congratulates the Thirteenth Prince, oh no, congratulations ****."

The Thirteenth Prince chuckled and said, "Everyone in the manor will be rewarded today!"

Su Peisheng received a very heavy purse and, smiling, recounted to the former Thirteenth Prince, now the Fourth Prince, the rewards the Fourth Prince had bestowed upon the other meritorious officials.

"The Seventeenth Prince was granted the title of Prince of the First Rank and awarded ten thousand taels of gold. The Fourth Prince was granted the title of Prince of the First Rank and awarded five thousand taels of gold. The Fifth Prince was granted the title of Prince of the Second Rank and awarded five thousand taels of gold. Other military officers also received their own rewards. His Majesty bestowed rewards upon all those who had rendered meritorious service. ****, look, the entire imperial city is filled with an atmosphere of joy."

Thirteenth Prince and Lady Zhao Jia exchanged a smile, and then Lady Zhao Jia said to Su Peisheng, "Eunuch Su, my mother brought me some wild ginseng a few days ago. Why don't you take some back with you to nourish your body?"

Su Peisheng's smile widened. He was about to speak when joyful music began to play outside. Su Peisheng said, "The troupe bestowed by the Emperor to celebrate with you gentlemen has arrived. Your Highness, would you like to go out and take a look?"

Thirteenth Prince nodded, took Zhao Jia's arm and walked out the door. Before they even reached the door, they saw a lion dance and heard the incessant sound of firecrackers. Thirteenth Prince saw that the lion was carrying something in its mouth. He stepped forward, and just then the lion stepped onto stilts and released its grip. A banner with the four characters "Iron-Blooded Loyalty" appeared before Thirteenth Prince's eyes.

The banner was also a gift from the Fourth Prince. The Thirteenth Prince was deeply moved, and he accepted the banner. He stood at the door with Lady Zhaojia and Su Peisheng, watching the lion dance celebration. The smile on his face never faded.

The same was true at the residences of the Seventeenth Prince and Hongli and Hongzhou.

The streets were deserted as everyone flocked to the area, and lanterns and decorations were everywhere.

But this festive east wind couldn't reach Fifth Master's residence.

Less than a day after Fifth Master was arrested and imprisoned, some people took advantage of his misfortune while others distanced themselves from him. Fifth Master's wives and concubines were terrified and wept constantly, making Fifth Master's mansion a scene of utter desolation.

Fifth Princess Consort sat alone in the backyard, surrounded by several women, some with tears streaming down their faces, others who, though distressed, dared not shed a tear. Listening to the commotion they made, Fifth Princess Consort leaned back in her chair and sighed silently.

"What's the point of crying now that things have come to this?" she said. "What good will crying do? Will your crying bring Fifth Master back?"

The woman to her left wiped away her tears and stepped forward, saying, "We have to think of a way to get Fifth Master out. This house can't be without a man."

"How can we save her?" Fifth Princess Consort asked.

"Isn't Princess Mei's daughter in the palace? I've heard that the Emperor dotes on Consort Xi. Why don't we plead with Consort Xi?" said the woman.